Why Use a Consultant

To maximize the chance of a positive outcome, it is important to utilize an experienced Federal Prison Consultant criminal if you or a family member has been indicted.

The indictment is a common document used in federal criminal procedure. Federal indictments are official documents that formally charge someone with a crime.

Federal Grand Juries

A Federal Grand Jury was appointed to hear the case. This is how a federal prosecutor begins their proceedings. However, sometimes a federal case starts with a “criminal complaint” or “criminal data.” 
While the exact layout of each document will differ depending on where it is located, there are some common elements to the structure of federal indictments.

The document’s top will include the name of the court and the case number. It also includes the “caption” that describes the case. This shows who is involved in the case, as well as the “counts” (charges) within it.

What is a Grand Jury

A grand jury is an informal body that consists of 16 to 23 citizens from the community. It is used by federal prosecutors to obtain indictments. They hear evidence and witness testimony presented by the prosecutor.

They can ask questions, subpoena witnesses and documents on their own.
After hearing all of the evidence, they can vote to indict or deny the defendant and whether there is enough probable cause to believe that he or she is guilty. Before an indictment can be considered “true”, it must receive at least 12 votes.

Federal grand juries are not without controversy. A grand jury is controversial because there is no standard for establishing probable cause.
This has led to many people, including criminal defense attorneys, opposing the idea. The hearings are held in secret, making it easier for a prosecutor to obtain an indictment.

What is a Grand Jury Indictment

Federal court indictments are when a defendant is formally indicted. The federal government accuses someone of violating the United States laws and commits itself to prosecute them.

The indictment, which lists specific violations of law against the defendant, also known as charges, is one of the most important documents in federal criminal cases.

The indictment serves the most important purpose of giving the defendant sufficient notice about the charges being brought against them by the government.
To find the defendant guilty, each of the charges must be proved beyond reasonable doubt by the government. To mount a defense, you must first understand the alleged crimes and their components.

Is the Indictment Faulty

This understanding is essential for defendants to be able to evaluate the strength of government evidence and determine the relative advantages of either negotiating a plea deal or fighting the charges in federal jury trial.

Although the indictment contains enough detail, it does not contain all the details that will be revealed in discovery. However, it is sufficient to inform the defendant of what they face.